Does that mean people who are allergic to dogs aren't allowed to be taxi drivers?

No-one's going to stop them, but they probably won't want to unless they have some way to keep their allergic reaction under control.

No, it means they have to be prepared for it, possibly with face masks they can wear and epi-pens if necessary. How do they deal with walking down the street when there are dogs coming around a blind corner? Do you expect people to not ever own or walk dogs because people on the street might be allergic? Besides, most proper cabs have bullet proof glass between the front and back seat, so it's probably not really an issue anyway.

I assume the allergy situation is different for encountering a dog on the street versus in closed close quarters such as a vehicle.

> Besides, most proper cabs have bullet proof glass between the front and back seat

That seems very location dependent.

I don't know of anybody who goes into anaphylactic shock due to dog hair, so an epi pen would be a bit much. Standard OTC allergy meds are fine.

Anyway, unless you're constantly carrying around dogs or have unusually severe allergies, this seems like a minor irritant.

Your experience may be common, but it is not universal.

https://www.aaaai.org/ask-the-expert/dog-anaphylaxis

https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Al...

"In a small number of cases, particularly among asthma sufferers, there can be the risk of a severe asthma attack, and there have been very occasional reports of the most severe, lifethreatening form of allergy (anaphylaxis). "

"You may also be advised to use a preventer (steroid) inhaler and nasal spray starting the day before any unavoidable exposure, for example a planned visit to a home where you know there is a cat. As stated above, if your doctor believes your symptoms could be very severe, you are likely to be prescribed adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) The adrenaline injectors prescribed in the UK at present are Emerade®, EpiPen® and Jext®."

People are legally allowed to avoid dogs they encounter on the street.

What happens when multiple people have conflicting disabilities is not one with a well-settled answer, as far as I'm aware. It can create theoretical situations where all the available options potentially result in someone filing a lawsuit.

Well you can reasonably discriminate if the job requires it eg firefighters must be able to pass physical tests some jobs are barred to those with colour blindness for example

They are allowed to choose to pursue such work, but it may not be a good idea.

Allergies are not universally classed as a disability - it must be severe enough to significantly impair a common life function.

The key here being "service animal". Not pets, not emotional support animal... a service animal that has been trained to help with a particular skill or assistance.

Pets and the like are not protected under the ADA.

Genuine question: is there a good definition of a "service animal", or can I just throw a vest on my pooch and get the ADA protection?

From the ADA site:

Service Animal Defined by Title II and Title III of the ADA. A service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

The key here is 'do work or perform tasks'. As a driver, you can ask "What work or task is this animal individually trained for." Their answer will allow you to determine if the animal is considered a 'service animal' under the ADA.